MODULE TITLE

Electromagnetism II (IS)

 

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

PHY3054

MODULE CONVENER

Prof. J. Bertolotti

 

 

DURATION

TERM

1

2

3

Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)

4

WEEKS

T1:01-11

 

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

This module is an Independent Study version of PHY3051. It is taken by students remote from Exeter, e.g. at Stage 3 of F304, who are therefore unable to attend traditional lectures and tutorials.

This is the second electromagnetism module taken by Physics students. It builds on PHY2021 (Electromagnetism I) and covers fundamental physics that students are capable of directly observing. The dielectric and magnetic properties of solids are introduced and a range of interesting phenomena are covered including the scattering of light the propagation of electromagnetic waves, etc., are important in a wide variety of areas and in many key technologies. The early part of the module is primarily a recap and a reinforcing of the difficult material treated at the end of PHY2021.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The module aims to develop students' understanding of Maxwell's equations and their applications including some advanced topics. Specifically, students will get to the point where they can handle the fundamentals of fields due to moving charges and also to begin to explore the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

 On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. describe all the fundamental aspects of electromagnetism;
  2. explain and solve problems involving the magnetic properties of materials;
  3. explain and solve problems involving the dielectric properties of materials;
  4. explain many aspects of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter;
  5. calculate the effect of such interactions using appropriate vector mathematics;
  6. calculate the fields of moving charges;
  7. solve problems requiring application of Maxwell's equations to a variety of situations as outlined in the syllabus below;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. use vector analysis to solve problems in science and engineering;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. develop and present a coherent solution to a problem;
  2. self-evaluate, check and correct solutions to problems.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

  1. Maxwell's Equations and Electromagnetic Waves
    1. Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field.
    2. Scalar and vector potentials.
    3. The equation of continuity.
    4. The wave equation and wave solutions to Maxwell equations.
    5. Linear, circular and elliptical polarization states of a wave.
    6. Energy of a wave and the Poynting theorem.
    7. The electromagnetic stress tensor and the momentum of an electromagnetic field.
    8. Gauge invariance and Gauge fixing. The Weyl, Lorenz and Coulomb gauges.
    9. Covariance of Maxwell equations and Lorentz transforms
    10. Field generated by a moving charge. The Liénard-Wiechert potentials.
    11. Larmor formula
  2. Electromagnetic materials
    1. Polarization of dielectric materials. Multipole expansion.
    2. Electric susceptibility and the displacement field.
    3. Clausius-Mossotti relation.
    4. Boundary conditions for the electric and the displacement fields.
    5. Magnetic dipoles and magnetization.
    6. Magnetic susceptibility and the magnetic field.
    7. Boundary conditions for the magnetic induction and the magnetic fields.
    8. Larmor precession.
    9. Paramagnetism and Curie law.
    10. Ferromagnetism, spontaneous magnetization, and magnetic hysteresis.
  3. Electromagnetism at boundaries and guiding of waves
    1. Waves in non-conductive materials.
    2. Waves in conductive materials and the skin effect.
    3. Dispersive media and the group velocity.
    4. Fresnel coefficients and their consequences (Snell's law, Brewster angle, total internal reflection).
    5. Reflection and transmission from a conductive material.
    6. Transmission lines and impedance.
    7. The telegrapher's equation.
    8. The rectangular waveguide. TE and TM modes of a waveguide.
    9. Optical fibres.
  4. Wave propagation
    1. Metals as plasmas, and the plasma frequency.
    2. Plasma oscillations and plasmons.
    3. Surface plasma polaritons.
    4. Anisotropic media and the susceptibility tensor.
    5. Biaxial and uniaxial media. Waveplates.
    6. Double refraction.
    7. Nonlinear media and the nonlinear polarization.
    8. Nonlinear susceptibility.
    9. Phase matching.
    10. Wave diffraction. The Fresnel (paraxial) approximation and the Fraunhofer (far field) approximation.

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities  

0 hours

Guided independent study  

150 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

 

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

 Category 

 Hours of study time 

 Description 

Guided independent study

30 hours

5×6-hour self-study packages

Guided independent study

16 hours

4×4-hour problem sets

Guided independent study

104 hours

Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

ILOs assessed

Feedback method

Guided self-study

5×6-hour packages

1-10

Self-evaluation

4 × Problems sets (marked by module convener)

4 hours per set

1-10

Written

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework

0%

Written exams

100%

Practical exams

0%

 

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

 

% of credit

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

 ILOs assessed 

Feedback method

Final Examination

100%

2 hours 30 minutes

1-10

Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.

 DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment

 Form of re-assessment 

ILOs re-assessed

Time scale for re-assessment

Whole module

Written examination (100%)

1-10

August/September assessment period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES  

See Physics Assessment Conventions.

 

RESOURCES

 

 INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES -  The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

Core text:

Supplementary texts:

ELE:

 Web based and electronic resources: 

CREDIT VALUE

15

ECTS VALUE

7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

Electromagnetism I (PHY2021)

CO-REQUISITE MODULES

none

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

6

AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

YES (see PHY3051)

ORIGIN DATE

01-Oct-10

LAST REVISION DATE

06-Aug-20

KEY WORDS SEARCH

Physics; Maxwell's equations; Electromagnetic fields; Waves; Radiation; Properties of matter.

Module Descriptor Template Revised October 2011